A.N.A. Bulletin, 11/09/96

From: "Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada" <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 986), September 11, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Greece ready to respond to Turkish attempts to escalate violence

Athens yesterday warned Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller and the Turkish government that any attempt to further escalate tension between the two countries would lead to an immediate reaction from Greece.

"Any attempt to escalate tension following the death of the Turkish soldier, concerning which absolutely no responsibility of the Cyprus Republic has been ascertained, will lead to an immediate Greek reaction," caretaker Press and Media Minister Dimitris Konstas said. A Turkish sentry was shot dead and another wounded in an incident early Sunday in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus.

London Greek Radio (LGR), meanwhile, revealed on Monday that the two soldiers were Kurds who had objected to Turkey's intention to set up a security zone in Northern Iraq. The revelation was made by a man claiming to be a cousin of the murdered soldier.

He also said the attack was carried out by the Turkish military.

Ms Ciller blamed Greek-Cypriots for the attack, implying that the alleged perpetrators were seeking revenge for the murder of two Greek-Cypriot protesters on the island last month.

Greece and Cyprus have categorically stated that the latest violent incident on the divided island was a Turkish provocation intended to force Athens to the negotiating table with Ankara.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis told a political rally in Serres on Sunday evening that recent incidents in Cyprus could be interpreted as a Turkish-engineered ruse to "drag Greece into negotiations."

Mr. Konstas stressed that international public opinion would not be misled by "Ankara's farcical misinformation" and forget the television footage of the cold-blooded murder of the two unarmed Greek-Cypriot protesters in August, "in which Ms Ciller has responsibility, at least as a moral instigator (of the crimes)."

[2] Senior Turkish Cypriot officials implicated in Solomou murder

Any evidence that officials of the Turkish-Cypriot pseudo-state in occupied northern Cyprus took part in the recent murder of a Greek-Cypriot protester will have "self-evident" repercussions for the arguments of the Turkish and Turkish-Cypriot sides, the government said yesterday.

Cyprus government spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides yesterday confirmed media reports that two "officials" of the pseudo-state were responsible for the shooting of Solomos Solomou as he climbed a Turkish flagpole during protests on Cyprus last month.

The two were identified as Kenan Akin, "agriculture minister" of the breakaway Turkish enclave, recognized only by Turkey, and Erdal Emanet, commander of the pseudo-state's "special forces."

"If it is proven that there was not only moral instigation but also direct complicity of officials of the pseudo-state in the perpetration of the crime, the political dimensions and repercussions of this fact on the arguments of the Turkish and Turkish- Cypriot sides will be self-evident," caretaker Press and Media Minister Dimitris Konstas said yesterday.

Both Mr. Konstas and Mr. Cassoulides said that the two men implicated in the murder of Solomou were settlers from Turkey.

Mr. Konstas said that the Greek government was "closely following with great concern" Ms Ciller's efforts to politically exploit the death of the Turkish soldier on Cyprus.

Ms Ciller yesterday flew to Cyprus to attend the funeral of the soldier.

"We hope the Turkish people realize that Ms Ciller's choice to base her political future primarily on the exacerbation of Greek-Turkish differences will cost Turkey a great deal internationally," Mr. Konstas said.

National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis also commented on the revelations concerning the circumstances of the murder of Solomou.

"The policy of the pseudo-state is to internationally create a climate of terror in Cyprus, with the aim of creating a chasm between the Turkish-Cypriot and Greek-Cypriot society, which will in turn lead to the partition of the island," Mr. Arsenis charged.

Mr. Arsenis reiterated that the problem was not one between the two communities on Cyprus, but arose from the regime of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, the Turkish occupation army and the Turks who have settled in occupied northern Cyprus. He expressed the view that if the two communities were left alone within the framework of an independent, united Cyprus "they will be able to deal with their problems together."

[3] EU concerned over events, Spring says

In Brussels, Irish Foreign Minister Dick Spring said yesterday the European Union had expressed its concern publicly over recent events on the island.

Mr. Spring said the EU actively contributed to international efforts to find an overall political solution to the island's problems, assigning Kester Heaslip to represent the Irish presidency (in various consultations).

He expressed the view that "the prospects of accession (of Cyprus) to the EU and the fact that this offers advantages to both communities living on the island could speed up a solution to the Cyprus problem."

[4] Next Gov't must make decisions for faster convergence with EU, SEB says

The next government will have to adopt immediate decisions aiming to put the country on a faster course of nominal and real convergence with the economies of the rest of the European Union, the Association of Greek Industries (SEB) said in a statement of positions delivered to party leaders yesterday.

The statement includes the following positions:

-The state must be trimmed through a courageous and speedy denationalization programme.

-Fiscal adjustment must be more vigorously pursued, mainly through cutbacks in expenses.

-There must be radical rationalization measures in public administration and enterprises.

-SEB is in favor of a stable drachma through the pursuit of realistic and viable parities which cushion uncertainties and provide a stable framework for businesses.

SEB also cites some of the more urgent measures as being the greater participation of domestic industries in public procurement deals, the safeguarding of unhindered and fair competition in all markets and for all firms, public or private, and a simplification of procedures for their setting up and operation.

[5] Ankara protests over alleged harassment of Turkish tourist vessels

Turkey protested yesterday to the Greek Embassy counsellor in Ankara Alexandros Kouyiou over an incident occurring off the port of Bodrum (Alikarnassos) on Monday. "Since Greek coast guard vessels harassed and fired at Turkish tourist vessels located in Turkish territorial waters off Bodrum yesterday (Monday), the Greek Embassy aide was summoned to the ministry today (yesterday), to whom Ankara protested strongly," an announcement by the Turkish foreign ministry said.

"We pointed out to him that a recurrence of such incidents could lead to dangerous developments and we stressed that we expect the Greek government to take necessary measures to prevent such incidents," the announcement added.

The Turkish Anatolian news agency reported on Monday that two Greek coast guard vessels harassed 30 Turkish tourist vessels off Daca (in the Hios region), chartered to carry tourists from the port of Bodrum (Alikarnassos) to Daca. It claimed that the Greek coast guard requested from the Turkish vessels to hoist the Greek flag despite their sailing in Turkish territorial waters, according to the Turkish authorities.

[6] Greece monitoring situation in Iraq

"Any act of violation of human rights, such as the mass persecution of populations, contravenes the provisions of international law and is contrary to the principles of, at least the civilized, international community," caretaker Press and Media Minister Dimitris Konstas said yesterday.

Mr. Konstas was commenting on the mass exodus of Kurds from northern Iraq following a recent upsurge in fighting between rival Kurdish factions in the region.

"The Greek government is being constantly briefed on the situation on the Turkish-Iraqi borders," Mr. Konstas reiterated.

Replying to questions on the possibility of an increase in the number of Kurdish refugees trying to enter Greece, Mr. Konstas said that the country's borders were being guarded and, whenever the authorities had information about attempts by large number s of illegal immigrants to enter Greece, special measures were taken.

[7] Kurds in Athens protest

Meanwhile, a group of Kurdish demonstrators marched to the Turkish and US embassies in Athens yesterday, calling for an end to the "genocide" of Kurds in northern Iraq and a planned Turkish intervention there.

About 150 protesters took part in the rally, organized by the Kurdistan National Liberation Front (PKK).

PKK representative in Greece Antar Serket blamed the "clashes between the Democratic Party of Kurdistan and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan in the northern part of Kurdistan" on the "colonial forces with the active participation of (Iraqi leader) Saddam Hussein, thus reinforcing Turkey's plans for genocide of the Kurds."

In a resolution, the protesters condemned the "fascist regime of Ankara which, with the support of the Americans and taking advantage of the events in southern Kurdistan (Iraq), has invaded the area with the aim of crushing the resistance of the National Liberation Front of Kurdistan and set up an occupation zone in northern Iraq."

In a related development, Margarita Papandreou, former wife of Andreas Papandreou, the late prime minister and founder-leader of PASOK, said the latest US missile attack against Iraq "has leveled any sense of legality."

"The US acted on its own without approval by the United Nations or international acceptance or legal justification," Ms Papandreou, a member of the Board of the Greek-Iraqi Association of Friendship and Solidarity, said.

The association believes that the recent missile attack against Iraq was not aimed at supporting the Kurdish people in northern Iraq from Iraqi incursions into the no-fly zone, but was serving US intentions to "acquire sole control over the profits stemming from oil reserves in Iraq."

Ms Papandreou called on the Greek government, the political parties, the politicians and all social bodies to "denounce the attack and demand that those responsible be condemned by the international legal system."

[8] Belorussian foreign minister begins official visit to Greece today

Belorussian Foreign Minister Vladimir Syanko today begins a two-day official visit to Greece during which he will have talks with his Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos.

Mr. Syanko's talks with Mr. Pangalos are expected to focus on bilateral matters and international issues of common interest. During Mr. Syanko's visit, a co-operation protocol will be signed by the foreign ministries of the two countries.

The visit follows talks here Monday between National Economy Under-secretary Manolis Beteniotis and Belarussian Alternate Foreign Minister Valery Tsepkalo on the further development of bilateral economic relations.

[9] Dukakis confident Sept. 22 poll will return strong Gov't

Former Massachusetts governor and 1988 Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis, currently on a five-day visit to the island of Crete, said the Greek-American community expects a powerful government to come from the Sept. 22 elections which will be able to handle important issues such as the Cyprus problem and Greek-Turkish relations.

Mr. Dukakis stressed that the United States is not involved in the Greek elections, while, in reply to a question, he said he did not know what the view was in the US regarding the possible outcome of the elections.

Speaking on Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Dukakis underlined that after the US elections in November, President Clinton will undertake new initiatives for the smoothing of relations between Ankara and Athens, and stressed that the US is concerned over Turkish Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan and the policy he is implementing.

Mr. Dukakis also expressed his concern over the recent events in Cyprus, stressing that they make a new US initiative in the area necessary.

[10] Albanian State Audit officials in Greece for bilateral meetings

A three-member delegation from the Albanian State Audit Council began a three-day visit to Greece yesterday in order to meet with Greek State Audit Council officials, including its president, Apostolos Botsos.

The Albanian delegation is headed by president of the State Audit Council and deputy Blerim Cela.

Albania is promoting the voting of a law on the formation of an "account court", as the State Audit Council will be renamed. For this reason, it wishes for co-operation with the equivalent bodies in Greece, within the framework of co-operation between the two countries.

[11] 18 parties participating in inner-party c'tee

Caretaker press minister Dimitris Konstas said yesterday that some 18 parties would be participating in the inter-party committee for the Sept. 22 poll, following last night's deadline for candidate declarations at the Supreme Court.

Apart from the six parties already in the inter-party committee (PASOK, ND, Political Spring, KKE, Synaspismos and DHKKI), a further 12 parties will participate in the committee.

Mr. Konstas said that the ban on the televising of opinion poll results would begin on Sept. 12.

He also announced that the press ministry was organizing a special information seminar for foreign correspondents on the Greek electoral procedure on Thursday at 11am at the Zappeion Hall.

The seminar will be conducted by Mr. Konstas, interior ministry experts and a professor with the Greek Political Science Society.

[12] Evert meets with SEB representatives

Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert yesterday warned Greece's leading industrialists that when in government he will strike a blow at any attempt by corporate interests to acquire political power.

"I want to be clear on this," Mr. Evert said adding that business interests should focus solely on "productivity."

The ND leader made the statement during a meeting with representatives of the Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) in view of elections on the 22nd of this month.

SEB's representatives reiterated their disagreement with the current hard drachma policy, raising the issue of low competitiveness of the Greek products in international markets and calling for government support.

[13] Mitsotakis confident of a ND win

In an interview with the Mega TV network, former prime minister and main opposition New Democracy party honorary leader Constantine Mitsotakis said ND had "a good chance of winning the elections", but noted that the two mainstream parties had registered t he lowest percentages ever.

"What can Mr. Simitis hope for with a possible 40 per cent and a much smaller majority than the 170 deputies he had when he called the elections? Will he be able to provide solutions to the problems of the Greek people?" he said.

Mr. Mitsotakis said his participation in the election campaign has had visible results for ND, adding that "we reversed the climate in a few days."

"By conducting a suitable election campaign, ND can win," he said.

Mr. Mitsotakis said he would make more tours than party leader Miltiades Evert, adding that his high popularity was an advantage for ND.

He said ND should appear united in the elections and added that "a confrontation between Mr. Evert and (Prime Minister) Mr. Simitis is not the best way for an election campaign."

Mr. Mitsotakis was elected ND leader in 1984 and held the post of prime minister from 1990 to 1993 when he resigned after the party's election defeat.

[14] Samaras comments on ND Moslem candidate's statements

Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras yesterday again referred to the "repercussions" of parties allowing Moslems to stand as candidates in general elections later this month.

Speaking in Amphissa, central Greece, Mr. Samaras cited an article in yesterday's edition of the Athens daily "Eleftherotypia," according to which main opposition New Democracy (ND) Moslem candidate Nazif Siakir stated that he was standing as a "Turkish " candidate "so that the endless suffering of the Turks of Western Thrace (northern Greece) can be heard."

Mr. Samaras said that the concern of his party, which has excluded Moslem candidates from running in elections on September 22, had been vindicated. He also accused ND leader Miltiades Evert of ignoring the "sensitive" problem of Thrace for petty party considerations.

Stressing, however, that "the issue does not concern the vast majority of our Greek Moslem brothers of Western Thrace," Mr. Samaras said "it concerns those who are guided by Ankara and are being used by New Democracy and PASOK as a Trojan Horse."

[15] Simitis goes on the offensive. Evert's policies will lead to disaster'

Prime Minister and PASOK President Costas Simitis last night launched an all-out assault on main opposition New Democracy and its leader, Miltiades Evert.

"The conservative party is responsible for Greece's past isolation," Mr. Simitis told an election rally in the Peloponnese town of Patras.

He said that Mr. Evert's positions on the drafting of an agenda for projected Greek-Turkish talks was playing into the hands of Ankara, as evidenced by Turkey's attitude to the Imia crisis in late January.

"There can be no dialogue with Turkey over our sovereign rights; Greece is non-negotiable," he said, adding that Mr. Evert's policy would lead to "excesses, tension and disaster".

He said PASOK was the only party that wanted and could keep Greece in the center of developments in the European Union. "We do not want to be in the second or third tier because then we will not be able to obtain economic assistance and we will not be able to participate in crucial decisions affecting the future of the country," he said.

Referring to Mr. Evert's comment on Monday that unemployment in Greece was linked to the influx of migrants, Mr. Simitis accused his main challenger of racism. "Racism is not necessary: what is needed is a proper economic and employment policy," he said .

Mr. Evert, he added, did not know what he was saying and his election promises were tailored to whichever audience he may be addressing.

He called on small party supporters not to waste their vote and to rally round PASOK.

Mr. Simitis will tour the Iraklion prefecture today, with scheduled visits to the city's hospital and agricultural cooperatives, and a press conference, before returning to Athens tonight.

[16] Constantopoulos accuses Simitis of being 'alarmist' and 'staging dilemmas'

Coalition of the Left and Progress party leader Nikos Constantopoulos yesterday accused Prime Minister Costas Simitis of being an alarmist and staging dilemmas.

Speaking to reporters at Iraklion airport at the start to his tour of Crete, Mr. Constantopoulos said "Mr. Simitis has delivered himself wholeheartedly to alarmist talk and to staged dilemmas aimed at citizens who are still resisting right-turn policies."

Mr. Constantopoulos also accused the government and the Prime Minister of inaction over the issue of promoting evidence concerning the murder of Greek Cypriot Solomos Solomou during events in Cyprus last month.

"This evidence should have gone around the world. Mr. Simitis and his government find time and are willing to exchange letters with Mr. Clinton. They are not willing and do no find time for a political briefing and consultation with parties on briefing the Greek people," Mr. Constantopoulos said.

He appeared unwilling to co-operate either with majority governments or with the PASOK party lacking a majority and following the same policy.

Mr. Constantopoulos expressed certainty that not only will the Coalition enter Parliament but it would also gain a strong position.

[17] Papariga comments on unemployment statements by Simitis, Evert

Secretary-General of the Communist Party of Greece Aleka Papariga yesterday responded to comments made by both Prime Minister Costas Simitis and opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert regarding unemployment.

Mr. Simitis' position, Ms Papariga said in Thessaloniki, "is that there is unemployment and Mr. Evert promises extended unemployment and does so because he has no opponent."

Ms Papariga said there should be an increase in the unemployment benefit and that pension rights for the unemployed should be protected.

She was speaking during a tour of the now-closed Goodyear plant at which representatives of the 350 sacked workers briefed her on plans to press for the reopening of the plant.

[18] Simitis leads Evert in latest poll

The second part of the PRC nationwide opinion poll, published in the "Ta Nea" newspaper yesterday, puts Prime Minister Costas Simitis ahead of his rival, New Democracy (ND) party leader Miltiades Evert by 50.7 to 27.2 per cent respectively.

Neither of the two are considered fit to be prime minister by 22.1 per cent of those questioned.

The prime minister also leads in participants' preferences for the post among a longer list of political figures, with 24.3 per cent, followed by former ND premier Constantine Mitsotakis with 10.4 per cent, Mr. Evert with 9 per cent, Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos with 5.6 per cent, Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas with 5.1 per cent, Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos with 4.4 per cent, Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras with 3 per cent, former justice minister Evangelos Venizelos with 2.1 per cent and President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos with 1.6 per cent. "Someone else" is favored by 8.6 per cent, while 19.1 per cent replied "No-one".

Responding to the question which of the two main parties is fitter to tackle a broad range of issues, participants expressed the following preferences (in percentage terms):

- The country's place in Europe: PASOK 37.8, ND 27.9 - Education: PASOK 39.5, ND 25 - Greek-Turkish relations: PASOK 32.1, ND 28.4 - Health: PASOK 42, ND 20.7 - Unemployment and poverty: PASOK 29, ND 21.6 - Environment: PASOK 30.7, ND 20.7 - Defense: PASOK 31.4, ND 30.1 - Agriculture: PASOK 33.5, ND 25.5 - Youth: PASOK 30.2, ND 21.4 - Small- and medium-size-enterprises: PASOK 30.2, ND 24.8

The PRC poll was conducted between August 31 and September 6, on a sample of 1,624.

[19] New education system implemented today

The new school year begins today with changes for students in the first class of senior high school, who will be the first to receive the new national high school leaving certificate in 1999.

Speaking during a press conference yesterday, Education Minister George Papandreou said these pupils will be taught four hours of mathematics and three hours of physics, while due to the additional second foreign language, weekly teaching hours will increase to 31 from the current 30.

Mr. Papandreou said the upper limit of class size has been reduced to 30 from the current 35 for the first grades in junior and senior high school.

The education minister noted that 66 Moslem children from Thrace entered higher education institutions this year.

He also spoke of the use of computers and general technology in education, announcing that roughly 1.5 billion drachmas will be provided in the near future for two projects: the creation of a pilot network of three areas in the country with different characteristics, such as Ahaia, Thrace and the Aegean, and the development of multimedia for use in teaching various subjects in high school.

[20] Tourist industry not as badly hit as originally thought

Development Minister Vasso Papandreou said yesterday that foreign exchange imported by tourists had noted an increase over the summer.

"We managed to an important point to upgrade the quality of our tourist product and this is proved by the increase in first class hotel bookings, something which did not occur in lower class hotel, which suffered a drop in (overnight) stays," Ms Papandreou said from Thassos yesterday.

"Despite this year's grumbling by the tourist industry over a reduction in tourism by 30 to 40 per cent, in the end, this turned out to be a single-digit number. (Nevertheless,) it is time to turn to quality tourism."

Ms Papandreou said neither she nor the government is aiming to "turn our 10 million tourists into 20 million, as was recently said. The issue is to upgrade the quality of tourism, meaning for tourists who bring foreign exchange to visit."

[21] South Korea set to participate in next year's TIF

The emerging Balkan market as well as that of the wider eastern European region is attracting the interest of both the government and business world of South Korea.

To this end, financial circles in the country are preparing to take the first step with South Korea's official participation in the 62nd Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) in 1997.

These intentions were disclosed by the first secretary and councilor of the Republic of Korea's Embassy in Athens, In Young Chung, and the director of Korea's Trade Center in Athens Chang Sik Kim in a meeting with TIF officials.

[22] Spas a growing industry

At least 300 billion drachmas are expected to be absorbed in the next decade for the development and modernization of more than 30 spas and factories bottling mineral water.

Speaking at a press conference organized as part of the Federation of Municipalities and Communities of Spas of Greece's participation in the 61st Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), Federation President Anestis Anastasiadis referred to efforts being made by the federation to utilize all spas in the country.

Mr. Anastasiadis said that at present development programs worth billions of drachmas were being carried out, adding that spas should operate all the year round so as to be able to meet the needs of both people insured by various funds and foreign visitors.

Federation Secretary-General Alexandros Stavrakis said there was a lack of doctors at spas during the months of the bathing period. He further said that out of 2,500 established spas in Greece only 100 were equipped with installations and only 60 of the m were utilized for therapeutical tourism.

[23] Nea Karvali state fertilizer firm registers 30.6 billion dr. turnover

Turnover of the Nea Karvali state fertilizer industry reached 30.6 billion drachmas in 1995, with net profits reaching 1.098 billion drachmas, marking an increase of 360 per cent in comparison to the last fiscal year.

The industry's board of directors has already scheduled investments of 750 million drachmas aiming to improve production, to be implemented by the end of 1997.

The money will be used to buy new mechanical equipment, to construct new technical and building facilities and extensions and to reorganize work areas among others.

Through the completion of these projects, the Kavala fertilizer industry, the largest in the country, aims to further improve the quality of fertilizers it produces, to modernize the industry and to aid its competitiveness on a European level.

The industry has also been included in a development ministry programme through which it is set to absorb 350 million drachmas for the construction of anti-pollution technology systems with the aim of protecting the environment and the avoidance of accidents.

End of English language section.